As winter temperatures set in, apiarists and beekeepers are turning to innovative solutions to ensure the well-being of their colonies.
One such breakthrough is the “Hive Hugger,” a non-ventilation design that not only preserves moisture but also effectively insulates beehives to reduce winter weather stress and decrease honey consumption.
Created by Peggy DeSanto, the Hive Hugger has undergone preliminary studies in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab, showing remarkable results. Compared to traditional tar paper hives, the product maintains hive temperatures 15 to 50 degrees warmer.
“The Hive Hugger hives ran 15 to 50° warmer and required 30- to 50-percent less honey consumption by the bees during winter,” noted
DeSanto.
This solution could help address the critical issue of winter losses while promoting resource efficiency. In regions with harsh winters, where approximately 55 percent of bee colonies are lost, this new product could potentially cut that percentage down to about 27 percent.
What does Splenda have to do with farming? Sweeteners like monk fruit and stevia are plant-based — so they are just not sugar, but are comprised of those other plants also grown on farms.
October 30, 2023 09:00 AM
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Season 2 Premiers 9/9/2023 – 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 10 AM MT | 9 AM PT
Don’t miss the buzz of this episode of Where the Food Comes From, airing this Friday at 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. only on RFD-TV!
It’s the oldest story we know — the birds and the bees. We don’t need the birds to grow our food, but without the bees we’d be in a lot of trouble. About a third of all crops require direct pollination by bees, including 70 of the top 100 primary sources of our food.
Save this list to have on hand when you hit your local grocery store, farmer’s market, or CSA all season long!
April 28, 2023 04:41 PM
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There is a wide assortment of beautiful trees (and tree-like species!) that can be enjoyed all across America. In honor of
Arbor Day, here are seven amazing trees (and one that isn’t actually a tree!) found across the U.S., and the best places to take in their beauty!
April 26, 2023 02:27 PM
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March 09, 2023 11:45 AM
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